api-patterns

# API Patterns > API design principles and decision-making for 2025. > **Learn to THINK, not copy fixed patterns.** ## 🎯 Selective Reading Rule **Read ONLY files relevant to the request!** Check the content map, find what you need. --- ## 📑 Content Map | File | Description | When to Read | |------|-------------|--------------| | `api-style.md` | REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC decision tree | Choosing API type | | `rest.md` | Resource naming, HTTP methods, status codes | Designing REST API | | `response.md` | Envelope pattern, error format, pagination | Response structure | | `graphql.md` | Schema design, when to use, security | Considering GraphQL | | `trpc.md` | TypeScript monorepo, type safety | TS fullstack projects | | `versioning.md` | URI/Header/Query versioning | API evolution planning | | `auth.md` | JWT, OAuth, Passkey, API Keys | Auth pattern selection | | `rate-limiting.md` | Token bucket, sliding window | API protection | | `documentation.md` | OpenAPI/Swagger best practices | Documentation | | `security-testing.md` | OWASP API Top 10, auth/authz testing | Security audits | --- ## 🔗 Related Skills | Need | Skill | |------|-------| | API implementation | `@[skills/backend-development]` | | Data structure | `@[skills/database-design]` | | Security details | `@[skills/security-hardening]` | --- ## ✅ Decision Checklist Before designing an API: - [ ] **Asked user about API consumers?** - [ ] **Chosen API style for THIS context?** (REST/GraphQL/tRPC) - [ ] **Defined consistent response format?** - [ ] **Planned versioning strategy?** - [ ] **Considered authentication needs?** - [ ] **Planned rate limiting?** - [ ] **Documentation approach defined?** --- ## ❌ Anti-Patterns **DON'T:** - Default to REST for everything - Use verbs in REST endpoints (/getUsers) - Return inconsistent response formats - Expose internal errors to clients - Skip rate limiting **DO:** - Choose API style based on context - Ask about client requirements - Document thoroughly - Use appropriate status codes --- ## Script | Script | Purpose | Command | |--------|---------|---------| | `scripts/api_validator.py` | API endpoint validation | `python scripts/api_validator.py <project_path>` | ## When to Use API design principles and decision-making. REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC selection, response formats, versioning, pagination. Covers: 🎯 Selective Reading Rule, 📑 Content Map, 🔗 Related Skills, ✅ Decision Checklist, ❌ Anti-Patterns.